About Us
The Waupaca Historical Society, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, was formed in 1953 to preserve the history of the Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes area. The Waupaca Historical Society owns and operates four buildings: the Holly History and Genealogy Center located in the former library at 321 S. Main St.; the Hutchinson House Museum and the King Cottage, both located in South Park; and the Waupaca Railroad Depot at 525 Oak Street.
New members and volunteers are always welcome! Contact Tracy Behrendt, Director, at (715) 256-9980 or director@waupacahistoricalsociety.org.
The mission of the Waupaca Historical Society is to preserve, advance and share knowledge of the history of the Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes area.
WHS Board of Directors (Board meets the second Thursday of every month at 5:15 p.m. at the Holly Center):
Ashlie Buck, President
Mike Kirk, Vice President
Ryan Drazkowski, Treasurer
Jeff Jenswold, Secretary
Tanya Gauer
Emily Glenn
Jeff Jenswold
Dennis Lear
Kent Pegorsch
Betty Stewart
Jeff Weasner
Nancy Weasner
Marge Writt
Henry Veleker (City Council Representative)
Staff: Tracy Behrendt, Executive Director
Thank you for donating to the Waupaca Historical Society and helping us preserve Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes history!
Come visit us year-round at the Holly Center at 321 S. Main Street during our open hours:
Wednesday and Thursday:
10 am to 2 pm
Friday:
10 am to 4 pm
2nd Saturday of the Month (excluding April and December):
11:30 am to 2 pm
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What's Happening at the Waupaca Historical Society
- 2026: Holly Center now open until 4 pm on Fridays and the second Saturday of each month (excluding April and December) from 11:30 am to 2 pm!
- Thursday, May 21, 6 pm: "Waupaca's Lost Indigenous Mounds" with author Zachary Bishop
- Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend: Hutchinson House Museum open every weekend, 1-4pm; Depot open every weekend, 12-5pm.
- Thursday, May 28, 4pm at the Commandant's House, Wisconsin Veterans Home at King: Signing of agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs for the preservation and public access of the Commandant's House at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King (REFRESHMENTS & PROGRAM TO FOLLOW AT MARDEN MEMORIAL CENTER)
- Saturday, June 20, 9am-4pm: Crafts and Items for Sale at Strawberry Fest (downtown Waupaca, at the Bandstand)
- Monday, June 22, 6:30pm at the Waupaca High School Auditorium: "The National Native American Veterans Memorial: Honoring the Military Service of Native Americans" with Rachelle B. Pablo of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian
- Wednesday, June 24, 5:30-6:30pm: Hutchinson House Museum open before the Summer Nights Concert in South Park
- JULY 4: CLOSED AT ALL BUILDINGS
- Wednesday, July 15, 5:30-6:30pm: Hutchinson House Museum open before the Summer Nights Concert in South Park
- Wednesday, July 22, 5:30-6:30pm:Hutchinson House Museum open before the Summer Nights Concert in South Park
- Thursday, August 6, 3-6 pm: Pie and Ice Cream Fundraiser at the Holly Center--Pie and ice cream for sale, all to support the Waupaca Historical Society!
- Saturday, August 8 (location and time to be announced): Parks and Rec Tour (with history of Waupaca's parks)
- Saturday, August 15, 9am-4pm: Crafts and Items for Sale at Arts on the Square (at the Arts Hub/Waupaca Rec Center)
Appointments outside of open hours at any WHS buildings can be made at least two weeks in advance by calling the Holly History and Genealogy Center at (715) 256-9980 or emailing
Tracy Behrendt at
